Couple's "amiable chat" investigated

Family members and friends reacted with scepticism to reports yesterday that a north London couple chatted amiably last week for more than half an hour. Sean and Daphne Richards, both 39, are said to have discussed a variety of topics including politics, the health of their two children and their plans for the weekend. But Daphne's sister Joan, 42, said yesterday that the story was "a load of rubbish." A friend of the pair added: "I know these two pretty well, and there's no way something like this could have happened." The married couple left their Islington house separately this morning without talking to reporters. Meanwhile police were conducting a forensic search of the property.